OBJECTIVE: To synthesis chitosan/β-glycerophosphate (CS/β-GP) thermosensitive hydrogel containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes-polyethyleneimine (MWCNTs-PEI) complexes and to lay a foundation for further research of dual slow-release delivery system. METHODS: Chitosan thermosensitive hydrogel containing MWCNTs-PEI was prepared by MWCNTs-PEI dispersed to the chitosan thermosensitive hydrogel. As the indicator of the gelling time, the experiment studied the effect of β-GP concentration, pH, temperature and MWCNTs-PEI composite quality on the thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel, and then it was charactered by using transmission electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectrometer(IR), and initially investigated in vivo compatibility. RESULTS: The dynamic rheology method investigated the gelling temperature were about 37.0°C. Within a certain range, the gelling time of thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel was shortened with the increase of concentration of β-GP, pH, temperature, and the quality of MWCNTs-PEI complexes, and they could be transformed into the hydrogel in vivo. The addition of MWCNTs-PEI complex didn't react chemically with the thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel and significantly make the holes of the chitosan thermosensitive hydrogel smaller by SEM and FT-IR, eventually leading to the swelling rate and the corrosional ratio decrease. CONCLUSION: Chitosan/β-glycerophosphate thermosensitive hydrogel containing amino-carbon nanotubes has a rapid gelation and good temperature-sensitivity, which can serve as a good double sustained-release carrier.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize water-soluble multi-walled carbon nanotubes-polyethyleneimine (MWCNTs-PEI) composite with low cytotoxicity and to lay a foundation for further research of loading drugs with carbon nanotubes. METHODS: MWCNTs-PEI composite was prepared by modifying carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs-COOH) with polyethylene (PEI), and then the composite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectra, UV spectra and thermalgravimetric analysis. The cytotoxicity of the composite on PC12 cells was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay to preliminarily evaluate its biocompatibility. RESULTS: The dissolubilities of MWCNTs-PEI and MWCNTs-COOH complexes were respectively 1.009 and 0.0601 mg · mL-1, and the former was about 16 times of the latter. The cytotoxicity of MWCNTs-PEI composite on PC 12 cells was significantly milder than that of MWCNTs-COOH composite as indicated by MTT assay (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MWCNTs-PEI composite not only improves the dispersibility of carbon nanotubes, but also reduces its in vitro cell toxicity.

Existing reporting guidelines for systematic reviews/Meta-analysis (SRs/MAs) cannot meet the requirements of clinical practice and scientific research, so based on evidence, methods and thoughts on establishing reporting guidelines for TCM-featured acupuncture systematic reviews/Meta-analysis were proposed. Through literature analysis, according to evidence-based principle, preliminary ideas on methodology of establishing reporting guidelines for TCM-featured acupuncture systematic reviews /Meta-analysis were proposed. With consensus as one main research method, it was proposed that in the consensus that was selected and established by experts, the pro- portion of Chinese scholars should be increased to fully declare the opinions of Chinese acupuncturists, and by verification of practice and application, the reporting guidelines for TCM-featured acupuncture systematic reviews/Meta-analysis can be finally made.
Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; standards ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; methods ; standards ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; standards

Objective To study the risk factors of skin lesion (keratosis and abnormal skin pigmentation) of population exposed to arsenic via drinking water in Inner Mongolia.Methods A cluster sampling method was used to select 902 cases from Linhe district,Hanghou and Wuyuan county in Inner Mongolia and physical examination was done.They were interviewed for information by questionnaire.The sample of fingernails and drinking water were collected.Water arsenic (As) was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS); fingernail As and Se content were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis(INAA).Data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate non-conditional Logistic regression.Results Single factor analysis showed that risk factors of keratosis were age,pesticide,arsenic in nails,smoking,years of smoking,drinking of alcohol,arsenic content in drinking water,fluorosis and duration of drinking arsenic-containing water,while occupation,nail selenium content and vitamin were protective factors.There were 10 risk factors for pigment abnormalities,which were age,pesticide,arsenic in nails,smoking,years of smoking,numbers of cigarette smoked daily,drinking of alcohol,fluorosis,the arsenic content in drinking water and duration of drinking arseniccontaining water,while sex,occupation and nails with selenium were protective factors.The multivariate factor analysis showed that the risk factors of keratosis were age,pesticide and arsenic content in drinking water(OR =1.387,1.583,1.321,all P ＜ 0.05),while occupation and vitamin were protective factors(OR =0.307,0.260,all P ＜ 0.05).The risk factors of abnormal skin pigmentation were age,pesticide,arsenic in nails,fluorosis and arsenic content in drinking water(OR =1.724,2.636,2.741,3.699,1.863,all P ＜ 0.05),while sex was protective factor(OR =0.255,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions Many factors have influence on endemic arsenism and a composite measure should be implemented to prevent it such as excluding arsenic from drinking water,health education,and a reasonably intake of nutrients.

Objective To study the influence of arsenic exposure on menstruation.Methods A cluster sampling method was applied to select the subjects of women aged 10 to 65 from Linhe,Hangjinhouqi and Wuyuan counties in Inner Mongolia in 2004.Drinking water samples were collected to detect arsenic levels,and menstrual related situation was surveyed.The subjects were divided into four groups according to drinking water arsenic concentration:control(≤0.01 mg/L),low(＞ 0.01-0.10 mg/L),moderate(＞ 0.10-0.20 mg/L) and high(＞ 0.20mag/L).Results A total of 602 women were surveyed.There were 83 subjects exposed to arsenic before menarche and their menarche age was (14.37 ± 1.54) years old.There were 90 people exposed to arsenic before menopause and the menopause age was (48.13-0.41) years old.The age of menarche and menopause were positively related to the years of arsenic exposure,and correlation coefficients were 0.268 and 0.278 (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared to control group(14.0％,16/112),menstrual abnormality rate decreased in low(12.1％,21/173) and high dose groups(10.2％,19/186),while increased in the moderate dose group(18.2％,16/88),but the differences were not statistically significant(x2 =3.664,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Long-term arsenic exposure delays the menarche and menopause age,suggesting that arsenic has certain endocrine disruption or estrogen-like effects.

ObjectiveTo introduction of perforator flaps,muscle flaps pedicled by descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery,method and their clinical application that multiple soft tissue defects of hand are repaire by muliplefoliated tissue flap only branch lateral circumflex femoral artery.MethodsFifteen patients with multiple soft tissue defects of hand were repaired muliplefoliated tissue flap only pedicled bydescending branch lateral circumflex femoral artery.At first,the anterolateral thigh perforator flap was designed and harvested according to the soft tissue defects of hand, then the descending branch lateral circumflex femoral artery was dissected at the same time the segmented perforator flap,fascia lata flap,rectus femoris muscle flap, vastus lateralis muscle flap, vastus intermedius muscle flap and distal spatium intermusculare flap were harvested in need according to distance among soft tissue defects.The muliplefoliated tissue flap was harvested only pedicled by descending branch lateral circumflex femoral artery, at last muscle flaps and fascia lata flaps were covered by skin graft, so the multiple soft tissue defects of hand were repaired in one time.ResultsNo vascular crisis happened. All skin grafts survived well, the contour of all repaired soft tissue defects was good and protective feeling was recovered by skin grafts of all flaps. All cases were got follow-up and the range was from 6 to 20 months(the average was 8.7 months).Wound of donor site healed well, muscle strength of quadriceps and motion of knee were normal. Three cases were excellent,nine cases were well and 3 cases were good, according to upper extremity function evaluation criteria of Chinese Medical Society for the Surgery of the Hand, the rate of good was 80 percent.ConclusionMultiple soft tissue defects of hand can be repaired by muliplefoliated flap only pedicled by descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery. Its advantages included reduction of operation time and treatment, good recovery of hand contour and function. It is a good method to repair multiple soft tissue defects of hand.

OBJECTIVEto evaluate the clinical outcomes of transpedicular lumbar wedge resection osteotomy in treating adult idiopathic scoliosis.

METHODStwenty-five adult idiopathic scoliosis patients treated with transpedicular lumbar wedge resection osteotomy from July 2001 to November 2007 were included, among whom 18 were female and 7 were male. Nine of 25 were with double major curve in thoracic and thoracolumbar/lumbar spine, and 16 were with single curve in thoracolumbar/lumbar spine. The average age was 35 years (29 - 48 years) at operation. Osteotomy were performed at T(11), T(12), L(1) or L(2). The motion evoked potential monitoring system and awaking test were used during surgery. The preoperative, postoperative immediately and latest standing posteroanterior and lateral radiographs were reviewed.

RESULTSall patients were operated successfully. The average operation time was 274 min (range, 220 - 380 min) and the average blood loss were 2328 ml (range, 1500 - 5000 ml). The average coronal Cobb angle of all patients in thoracolumbar/lumbar curves was 88° (range, 70° - 121°) before operation, which was corrected to 43° (range, 35° - 70°). The coronal correction rate was 44%. The average kyphosis angle of all in thoracolumbar/lumbar curves was 63° (range, 50° - 90°) before operation, which was corrected to 10° (range, -40° - 21°). The sagittal correction rate was 86%. Nerve root injury occurred in 3 of all patients who complained about postoperative radicular pain. No spine cord injury, delayed paralysis, infection and instrumentation failure were found. With a follow-up of 2 - 4 years, no correction loss or decompensation happened. The back pain existing before operation was relieved in large measure. The cosmetic appearance were all promoted significantly.

CONCLUSIONSthe transpedicular thoracolumbar/lumbar wedge osteotomy is efficient and safe in the correction of adult idiopathic scoliosis. The correction is much better on the sagittal plane than that on the coronal plane.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 ; genetics ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; genetics ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; genetics ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 ; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of surgery for the patients with pyriform sinus carcinoma and analyze the prognostic factors related to the cancer.

METHODSBetween December 1995 and December 2002, 62 patients with pyriform sinus cancer were treated in Zhejiang Tumor Hospital. There were 13 patients staged T1, 17 T2, 12 T3, 20 T4. Four patients received preoperative radiation and 40 patients had post-operative radiation. Among 62 patients, 33 patients were treated by partial laryngectomy, 29 patients were treated by total laryngectomy.

RESULTSThe survival rate was calculated with Kaplan-Meier method. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 42.3% and 27.8%, respectively. The 3-year survival rate between partial and total laryngectomy was 51.9% and 29.9%. The 5-year survival rate between partial and total laryngectomy was 39.5% and 11.2% (chi2 = 4.14, P<0.05). Early stage and combined modality therapy were the independent favorable prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSEarly diagnosis with treatment and combined treatment are the most important factors influencing the survival of patients with pyriform sinus carcinoma. Partial laryngopharyngectomy is a suitable treatment for early and selected advanced pyriform sinus carcinoma with a good function and oncologic outcome.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; mortality ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; mortality ; therapy ; Laryngectomy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pharyngectomy ; Pyriform Sinus ; pathology ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo analyze the influence of four types (class II long elastic, class II short elastic, class III long elastic, class III short elastic) of inter-arch elastics on the stress distribution and displacement of temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

METHODSTo reconstruct a three-dimensional element model of left craniofacial bones with TMJ, maxilla, mandible and dentition with MBT straight wire appliance by CT images, Mimics, Ansys software. The influence of four types elastic on the model was analyzed by simulating the clinical conditions.

RESULTSThe stress distribution and displacement of TMJ under four types of elastics have been acquired. The stress distributed rule of condition 1 and 2 was similar, compression stress centred on the frontal surface of the condyle, while stretching stress centred on the posterior surface. The stress distributed rule of condition 3 and 4 was similar too, the frontal surface of the condyle was most stretching stress, while posterior surface was most compression stress. The displacement of the condyle of condition 1 and 2 was overall forward and downward with a clockwise rotation, the displacement of the condyle of condition 3 and 4 was overall backward and upward with a anticlockwise rotation.

CONCLUSIONClass II long elastic and short elastic, class III long elastic and short elastic, the stress distributed rule was similar, the strength under short elastics was gentle under the same strength value. Overall displacement was downward and forward under class II elastics, the condyloid made a clockwise rotation. Overall displacement was upward and backward under class III elastics, the condyloid made a counterclockwise rotation.

Dental Stress Analysis ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Temporomandibular Joint